PPTA members have voted overwhelmingly to approve the main claims theyll be taking into negotiations with the government later in the year. The claim was the culmination of two years of consultation, research and discussion.Secondary teachers united in their expectations for negotiations

PPTA members have voted overwhelmingly to approve the main claims they’ll be taking into negotiations with the government later in the year. The claim was the culmination of two years of consultation, research and discussion.

Thirty-four meetings were held throughout the country for secondary teachers covered by the Secondary Teachers Collective Agreement.

PPTA president, Jack Boyle says, “At each meeting robust and thoughtful discussion informed the debate. The result of the vote shows that teachers have identified the solutions to the issues the profession is facing, and understand what can best be implemented through collective negotiations.”

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for us as a country to get things right for every New Zealand child and the people who teach them. The solutions are known, there is political support and budget surpluses are available. We hope the government will choose to use the money for the good of all New Zealanders.”

The PPTA executive will meet in August to finalise the claim and its negotiation team will begin meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Education after that.